Find Funding Opportunities and Submit an Application

A synopsis of all competitive ACF Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) are posted at Grants.gov – the same place you will go to submit your application. As ACF’s FOAs are announced, they are posted on ACF’s website at: www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa.

Step by Step

  1. Find open funding opportunities at Grants.gov. You can search by funding opportunity number, category, agency, or other criteria. If you are looking for a specific opportunity, searching by the funding opportunity number is the fastest way to find it (or go to www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa and follow the link to the synopsis and application package at Grants.gov).  If you do not have a specific funding opportunity in mind you may familiarize yourself with the various ACF programs.  Some ACF programs provide free technical assistance to potential applicants – please see the program’s website for more information.  
  2.  Download the Instructions and Application from Grants.gov. The package includes everything you need to complete an application, including all the forms. Save the package to your computer and complete it off-line.

    Remember! In order to view application packages and instructions, you will need to download and install a Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader on your computer.
  3. Complete the Application, including all required forms, assurances, and certifications. When complete, save the application to your computer. Be sure to click the "Check for Errors" button, which will validate your application and activate the "Save and Submit" button. 
  4. Save and Submit only after you have double-checked your application for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the page limit. After you click "Save and Submit," you will enter your username and password. Assuming you are registered with Grants.gov, you can click the "Sign and Submit" button to authenticate and submit your application.
  5. Watch your E-mail. You will receive a series of e-mails from Grants.gov that will help you track your application. You can get the same information by logging into your account at Grants.gov.

Tips on the Submission Process

Know Your Role

Each role in the submission process carries specific responsibilities. Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) work with their organization to prepare the application, and pass the completed application on to their Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only AORs have the ability to submit a grant application to ACF via Grants.gov. The E-Biz POC has the ability to designate the AOR for their organization. 

Obtain Software

Adobe Reader 
Applicants must download a Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader software in order to view and complete the application forms. Users can identify and download Grants.gov compatible versions of Adobe Reader by visiting the Download Software page on the Grants.gov Web site.

Creating PDFs 
Some applicants choose to submit their applications in PDF format. Grants.gov has published a list of recommended PDF Guidelines to assist you in obtaining the necessary software. To avoid PDF problems, keep these guidelines in mind.

The free Adobe Reader used to complete an application cannot be used to create PDF attachments.


Next Step: Understand the Funding Opportunity Announcement

 

For help with Grants.gov, please visit their support page at: http://grants.gov/help/help.jsp

The content on this page is for informational purposes and should not be construed as instructions for submitting an application.  Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Announcement of interest for detailed instructions.